Inking mechanism for rotary marking apparatus



Aug. 15, 1961 F. c. WORTH 2,996,005

INKING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY MARKING APPARATUS Filed May 25, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I78 7 H HE n 5 AT dRNEy Aug. 15, 1961 F. c. WORTH 2,996,005

INKING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY MARKING APPARATUS Filed May 23, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 48 w 28 lO0 96 98 34 'us xoz io IfmEau 2 I INVENZI'OR Firmvc/s C, M/ORTH Aug. 15, 1961 F. c. WORTH 2,996,005

INKING MECHANISM FOR ROTARY MARKING APPARATUS Filed May 25, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR F/wF/vc/s. C Wear United States Patent 9 York Filed May '23, 1958, Ser. No. 737,393 7 Claims. (Cl. 101-350) This invention relates generally to marking apparatus, and more particularly is directed to a marking apparatus effective to intermittently apply markings to a continuous web or sheet, for example, to apply markings to successive sections or lengths of a continuous web of wrapping material which are to be cut from the latter in a conventional wrapping machine.

It is an object of the invention to provide marking apparatus of the described character which is effective to apply inked impressions to the continuous web of sheet material fed to an existing wrapping machine or the like, and wherein the marking apparatus can be installed without requiring modification or alteration of the existing wrapping machine, while the marking apparatus is made to operate in synchronism with the operation of the wrapping machine in cutting off successive sections or lengths of the continuous web of wrapping material.

Another object is to provide marking apparatus of the described character that is easily adjustable across the continuous web of wrapping material fed to the associated wrapping machine in order to permit the inked impressions to be applied at any desired lateral position on successive sections of the web.

A further object is to provide an improved mounting for marking apparatus of the described character which facilitates the establishment of parallelism and the necessary contact pressure between a die wheel forming part of the marking apparatus and an associated impression roll over which the continuous web passes on its way to the cut-off mechanism of the associated wrapping machine.

Still another object of the invention is to provide marking apparatus of the described character with improved means for supplying ink to the raised marking surfaces of type elements or logotype carried by the die wheel in order to obtain uniformity in the intensity of the inked impressions applied to the successive sections of the web.

.In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a marking apparatus includes an inking roll rotatably dipping into an ink fountain or reservoir and in rolling contact with a metering roll which is, in turn, disposed for rolling contact with the raised marking surfaces of type elements or logotype mounted on a portion of the periphery of the die wheel. The inking roll and the shaft of the die wheel are positively driven, while the metering roll is freely rotatable and is frictionally driven by reason of its rolling contact with the continuously rotated inking roll. Although the shaft of the die roll is continuously rotated, a slip clutch is provided as the coupling between the die wheel and its shaft so that the die wheel can be intermittently held against rotation in a position where its type elements, logotype or other marking members are out of contact with both the metering roll and the continuous Web passing over the related impression roll. In order to hold the die roll against rotation, the latter is provided with a projecting stop pin, and an abutment is mounted for movement into and out of the circular path of movement of the stop pin, such abutment being actuated by a solenoid which is, in turn, controlled by a the associated wrapping machine.

ice

In accordance with a particular feature of this invention, the inking roll is provided with a soft rubber body disposed axially between metal side flanges, and the metering roll, which is formed of metal or other relatively hard material, has a length substantially equal to the axial distance between the side flanges of the inking roll and is pressed against the soft rubber body of the latter with suflicient pressure to compress the surface of the rubber body of the inking roll radially inward with respect to the peripheries of the side flanges, whereby the latter act as end wipers to prevent the formation of beads of ink .at the ends of the metering roll.

In accordance with another feature of this invention, the system for supplying ink to the raised marking surfaces of the type elements or logotype further includes a tank or container for a supply of ink in the form of a normally inverted bottle having a hollow stem or pouring spout depending into the ink fountain, with the lower end edge of the hollow stem being cut in a plane at an angle to the horizontal so that, when the level of the ink in the open fountain rises a predetermined distance above the uppermost portion of the lower end edge of the hollow stem, atmospheric pressure acting upon the surface of the ink in the fountain will halt the feeding of ink from the tank or container into the fountain and, when the level of the ink in the open fountain falls just below the uppermost portion of the lower end edge of the hollow stem, the surface tension of the ink adhering to the stem will be immediately broken to permit atmospheric air to enter through such stem into the tank or container and thereby resume the feeding of ink from the latter into the fountain. Further, the lower end of the hollow stem depending from the tank or container is preferably provided with a resiliently closed ball or check valve which is opened by a pin projecting upwardly from the open fountain when the tank or container is in its operative position upon the marking apparatus, but which automatically closes upon removal of the tank or container from the marking apparatus, thereby to prevent spilling of ink during such removal of the tank.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent in the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side elevational view of a marking apparatus embodying this invention and of those elements of an associated wrapping machine or the like which are essential for an understanding of the operation of the'marking apparatus;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the marking apparatus of FIG. 1, with a portion of a side wall of the housing thereof being removed to show the internal structure;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a detail elevational view which is partly broken away and in section and shows the arrangement for feeding in the apparatus of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3;

FIG. 5 is a detail sectional view taken along the line 55 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a wiring diagram of an electrical control circuit for the marking apparatus embodying this invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, it will be seen that a marking apparatus embodying the present invention and generally identi- =fied by the reference numeral 10 is mounted, in a manner hereinafter described in detail, on a cross bar 12 extending laterally above the path of movement of a continuous web W of wrapping material being fed through the infeed tunnel of a conventional wrapping machine from a supply roll 14 to the usual rotary cut-off 16 of the conventional wrapping machine. Between the supply roll 14 and the rotary cut-off 16, the web W passes over a dancer or tensioning roll 18 which is rotatably mounted, at its opposite ends, in pivoted arms 20, and the latter are resiliently urged in the direction for causing the roll 18 to tension the web W; After passing over the dancer or tensioning roll 18, the web W further passes over an impression roll 22, and then between feed'rollers 24 disposed ahead of the location of the rotary cut-off 16. The impression roll 22 and feed rollers 24 are suitably driven in synchronism with the rotation of rotary cut-off 16 so that the web W is fed, as required, to the rotary cut-off and is there intermittently cut into suitable sections or lengths which are to be employed for wrapping selected articles, such as, loaves of bread'or the like;

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, it will be seen that the marking apparatus 10 embodying this invention includes a housing which is generally identified by the reference numeral 26' and has opposite side walls 28 and 30, a cross member 32 joined to the upper edges of the side walls 28 and 30 at the forward portion of the housing, considered in the direction of movement of the web W indicated by the arrow 34 on FIG. 2, and a cover 36 extending across the remainder of the top of the housing between the upper edge portions of the side walls and removably secured to the latter, as by screws 38 having knurled heads. ly mounted adjacent its lower edge on bolts 42 passing through the lower front corners of the side walls 28 and 30 and is releasably held in closed position by a spring urged detent 44 (FIG. 2). The housing 26 is completed by a rear wall that includes'a fixed lower portion 46 secured, as by bolts 48, to the side walls 28 and 30, and an upper portion 50 which is pivotally mounted adjacent its lower edge on bolts 52 passing through the A front end wall 40 is pivotali side Walls of the housing and which is releasably held in closed position by a resiliently urged detent (not shown) similar to the detent 44 associated with the pivotally mounted front end wall 40.

' As can be seen in FIG. 2, the housing 26 is mounted from the cross bar 12 by means of a generally C-shaped bracket 54 extending upwardly from the cross member 32 to embrace the cross bar 12 at the top and one side of the latter, and a clamping plate 56 which is releasably secured across the open side of the C-shaped bracket 54 by bolts 58 in order to clamp the cross bar 12 between the bracket 54 and the clamping plate 56. Further, in order to adjustably determine the position of housing 26 relative to cross bar 12, the upper leg of the C-shaped bracket 54 has two locating screws 60 extending threadably therethrough at laterally spaced apart locations to engage the upper surface of cross bar 12, and lock nuts 62 are provided on the set screws 60 in order to prevent inadvertent rotation of the latter. It will be apparent that, by simultaneously rotating the set screws 60, the vertical position of housing 26 relative to cross bar 12, and hence also relative to the impression roll 22 which rotates about afixed axis, can be adjusted, while the angular position of the housing relative to the cross bar and relative to the axis of the impression roll can be varied by suitable relative rotations of the two set screws 60.

The marking apparatus 10 has a die wheel assembly generally identified by the reference numeral 64 (FIGS. 2 and 3) and including a laterally extending shaft 66 that is rotatably journallcd adjacent its opposite ends in bearings 68 carried by the side walls 28 and 30 in the forward end portions of the latter. A spur gear 70 is mounted on the end portion of shaft 66 adjacent side wall 28, and shaft 66 is made to rotate with gear 70, for example, by a pin 72 carried by-the hub of gear 70 and engaging in a slot 74 extending axially in the surface. of shaft '66.

The die wheel assembly 64 further includes a hollow body 76 telescoping axially over the shaft 66 and rotatable with respect to the latter. The hub of gear 72 is provided with an annular disc 78 (FIG. 3) of friction material which is glued or otherwise secured to the inner end face of the hub and frictionally engages the adjacent end surface of the die wheel body 76 so that, when the latter is urged axially toward the gear 70, the die wheel body 76 tends to rotate with gear 70 and shaft 66. In order to urge the body 76 axially toward the gear 70, the die wheel assembly 64 further includes a helical compression spring 80 extending around shaft 66 and interposed axially between an abutment disc 82 engaging against the bearing 68 carried by side wall 30 and a disc 84 which rides against ball bearings 86 in an annular race 88 abutting axially against the end of body 76 remote from gear 70.

The body 76 of die Wheel assembly 64 carries members for securing marking elements which extend over only a portion of the circumference of the die wheel assembly. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the outer cylindrical surface of body 76 may support locking rings 90 which are shaped in the manner disclosed in US. Letters Patent No. 2,643,609, issued June 30, 1953, to Ira S. Gottscho, in order to define annular, radially opening spaces therebetween for gripping suitable locking elements formed on the back surface of rubber type elements or logotypes T having raised characters corresponding to the inked impression to be applied to the web W. As in the above identified patent, the body 76 has a radial flange 92 adjacent one end thereof, and a locking nut 94 is screwed on the opposite end of the body 76 which is suitably threaded for that purpose so that the rings 90 can be axially compacted between flange 92 and locking nut 94 to securely hold the locking elements on the back of the logotype T. It is to be understood that the housing 26 of marking apparatus 10 is located with respect to the impression roll 22 so that, as the die wheel assembly 64 is rotated, the raised marking surfaces of the characters on the type elements or logotype T secured on the periphery of the die Wheel assembly by the locking rings 90 will come into rolling and marking contact with the web W passing over the impression roll.

In order to apply ink to the raised marking surfaces of the type elements or logotype T secured on the periphery of the die wheel assembly 64, the marking apparatus 10 further includes an upwardly opening ink fountain or reservoir 96 disposed in back of the die wheel assembly and having lateral, flat extensions 98 which are received in downwardly opening, elongated cutouts 100 formed in the bottom edges of side walls 28 and 30. The forward edges of the lateral extensions 98 and of the related cutouts 100 are beveled, or inclined with respect to the vertical, as at 102 (FIG. 2) and a securing screw 104 extends forwardly through a suitably tapped hole at the center of the lower fixed portion 46 of the rear end wall of housing 26 to abut against a block 106 projecting rearwardly from the fountain 96. Thus, the securing screw 104, when tightened, urges the fountain 96 forwardly so that the beveled edges 102 of the extensions 98 and of the cutouts 100 are held in intimate contact to prevent downward removal of the fountain from the housing 26. However, when the screw 104 is loosened, the fountain 96 can be displaced rearwardly to permit disengagement of the beveled forward edges of the extensions 98 from the corresponding forward edges of the cutouts 100, whereupon the fountain can be downwardly removed from the housing,

An inking roll 108 is fixed on a shaft 110 extending parallel to shaft 66 of the die wheel assembly at a location above the lateral medial line of the ink fountain 96. Shaft 110 is rotatably journalled, adjacent its opposite ends, in bearings 112 carn'ed by side walls 28 and 30 of housing 26. A gear 114 is secured on shaft 110 adjacent the inner surface of side wall 28 and meshes with an idler gear 116 which, in turn, meshes with the gear 70 on shaft 66 of the die wheel assembly. The idler gear 116 is rotatably mounted on a bushing 1 18 carried by a stud bolt 120 which is received in a suitably tapped bore in side wall 28. Thus, gear 70, and hence shaft 66 of the die wheel assembly, are rotated in response to rotation of the shaft 110 of the inking roll.

The arrangement for supplying ink to the raised marking surfaces of the type elements or logotype T secured on the surface of the die wheel assembly further includes a metering roll 122 on a shaft 124 which extends parallel to the axes of shafts 66 and 110 and which has its opposite ends rotatably journalled in bearings 126 carried by arms 128 (FIGS. 2 and disposed against the inside surfaces of side walls 28 and 30. Each of the arms 128 is pivotable about a screw 130 which passes through a smooth bore in the adjacent side wall 28 or 30 and is received in a tapped hole 132 formed in the arm 128 at a location spaced radially from the axis of shaft 124. The screws 130 passing through the side walls 28 and 30 are axially aligned with each other and are disposed above the axis of inking I011 108 in a plane passvertically through such axis, so that downward swinging of the arms 128 tends to press the metering roll 122 into rolling contact with the surface of inking .roll 108. Further, the arms 128 are dimensioned so that, when the metering roll 122 is moved into rolling contact with the surface of inking roll 108, the surface of metering roll 122. will also be disposed for rolling contact with the raised marking surfaces of the type elements or logotype T secured on the periphery of die wheel assembly 64. Preferably, the screws 130 passing through the opposite side walls 28 and 30 have oppositely directed threads which are arranged so that the direction of rotation for tightening each of the screws 130 corresponds to rotational direction for downward swinging of the related arm 128. Thus, the screws 130 can be loosened to permit angular movement of the arms 128 for adjusting the pressure of the metering roll 122 against the surface of the inking roll 108 and, thereafter, when the screws 130 are tightened to frictionally engage the arms 128 with the inner surfaces of side walls 28 and 30 for locking the arms 128 in their adjusted angular positions, the reaction to the pressure of metering roll 122 against inking roll 108 will tend to tighten the screws 130 for positively ensuring the maintenance of arms 128 in the adjusted positions thereof.

In accordance with this invention, the inking roll 108 includes a rubber body 134 (FIGS. 3 and 4) interposed axially between metal discs or flanges 136, and the metering roll 122 has an axial length substantially equal to the axial distance between the discs 136. The arms 128 supporting the shaft 124 of metering roll 122 are angularly adjusted, as described above, so that the metering roll is pressed against the surface of the rubber body 134 of inking roll 108 with sufiicient force to cause the rubber body to be compressed radially inward with respect to the peripheries of the discs 136 at the area of contact of the rubber body with the metering roll, as shown in FIG. '4. Thus, the discs or flanges 136 overlap the end faces of the metering roll 122 and act as end wipers to avoid the building up of beads of ink on the ends of the metering roll. As seen in FIG. 4, a doctor or scraper blade 138 is secured, as by screws 140 within the fountain 96 and engages the surface of the rubber body 134 of inking roll 108 at the front side of the latter where the surface of the inking roll is moving upwardly out of the body of ink within fountain 96, thereby to scrape the excess of ink from the inking roll prior to the transfer of ink from the latter to the metering roll 122.

It will be apparent that the metering roll 122 mounted on the freely rotatable shaft 124 is frictionally driven by its rolling contact with the rotated inking roll 108. Further, it will beapparent that ink picked up by the S l inking roll 108 from a body of ink within fountain 9 6 and transferred to the metering roll 122 is then transferred from the latter to the raised marking surfaces of the type elements or logotype T on the periphery of guide wheel assembly 64 as the latter is rotated to move such marking surfaces past the metering roll in rolling contact with the surface of the latter.

In order to maintain a substantially constant supply or body of ink within the reservoir or fountain 96, the marking apparatus 10 further includes an inverted tank or container 142 having a removable closure 144 at its lower end from which a hollow stem or tube 146 depends (FIGS. Z'and 4). A longitudinally split tube 148 is fixedly secured, at its upper end, in a suitable opening in the cover 36 of the housing 26 and is dimensionedso that the stem 146, when extended downwardly through the longitudinally split tube 148, will be frictionally retained in the latter with the lower end of the hollow stem 146 entering into a rearward extension 150 (FIG. 3) of the fountain 96. Thus, ink can pour from the container 142 through the hollow stem 146 into fountain 96 for replenishing the supply of ink in the latter as the ink is taken up by the inking roll 108.

In accordance with this invention, the lower end edge 152 of hollow stem 146 is cut at an acute angle with respect to the axis of the hollow stem so that the end edge 152 will be inclined from the horizontal when the container 142 is disposed in its normal operating position in which the hollow stem depends vertically into the ink fountain. It will be apparent that, when the level of the ink within fountain 96 reaches above the uppermost portion of the opening of the hollow stem 146 at the bottom edge 152 of the latter, any further flow of ink from container 142 into fountain 196 will cause a vacuum or relatively low pressure to be created within con tainer 142 above the surface of the ink in the latter so that atmospheric pressure acting upon the surface of ink in fountain 96 will eventually counteract the head of ink in the relatively elevated container 142 to stop the continued flow of ink from container 142 into fountain 96. On the other hand, when the level of ink in the fountain 96 recedes below the uppermost part of the opening of hollow stem 146 at the inclined bottom end edge 152, air can immediately enter through the hollow stem 146 to break the vacuum above the level of the ink in con tainer 142 and thereby permit the renewed flow of ink from container 142 into fountain 96 will cause a vacudesired level of ink in the latter. The inclination of the bottom end edge 152 of hollow stem 146 serves to reduce the effect of surface tension in resisting the immediate renewal of flow from container 142 into fountain 96 when the level of the ink in the latter recedes below a predetermined point.

Further, in accordance with this invention, the interior of hollow stem 146 is formed with an upwardly facing valve seat 154 (FIG. 4) against which a ball or check valve 156 is urged by a spring 158, and a valve opening pin projects upwardly from the rearward extension 150 of the reservoir or fountain 96 in axial alignment with the" longitudinally split tube 148 carried by the cover 36, so that, when the container 142 is installed in its operative position with the stern 146 extending downwardly into the rearward extension 150 of fountain 96, pin 160 enters upwardly into the lower end of stem 146 and unseats the ball valve 156 to permit the flow of ink through stem 146 into fountain 96. On the other hand, when the container 142 is removed upwardly from the housing, stern 146 is withdrawn from around the pin 160 to permit ball valve 156 to be seated by spring 158 and thereby prevent the spilling of ink from container 142 during removal of the latter.

The inking roll 108 is preferably positively driven from the associated wrapping machine or the like in synchronism 'with the rotation of the rotary cut-off 16 of the latter and, for this purpose, an end of the shaft 110 is extended outwardly through side wall 28 and has a sprocket 162 fixed thereon (FIGS. 1 and 3) to be driven by a chain 164 which passes over a sprocket 163 on a rotated drive shaft 165 (FIG. 1) of the associated wrapping machine. Thus, inking roll 198 is continuously rotated in synchronism with the rotation of the rotary cut-ofl 16, and the metering roll 122 is similarly continuously rotated by reason of its frictional contact with the inking roll. It will also be apparent that, by reason of the gear train formed by the gears 114, 116 and 76, the shaft 66 of die wheel assembly 64 is also continuously rotated. The clutch .disc 78 carried by gear 70 and frictionally engaging the adjacent end of the die wheel body 76 tends to rotate the latter along with the shaft 66. However, in the marking apparatus embodying this invention, the flange 92 of" the wheelbody .76 is provided with an axially projecting-stop pin 166 (FIGS. 2 and 3) which is directed toward the adjacent side wall 28 and which is spaced radially from the axis of rota} .i tion of the die wheel assembly. Further, an abutment in the form of a pin 168 (FIGS. 2 and '5) is 'inounted for movement into and out of the circular path of movement of the stop pin 166 with the die wheel body 76 so that, when the pin 168 is moved into the path of movement of stop pin 166, as in FIG. 2, pin 1'66 moves into engagement with pin 168 to prevent further rotation of the die wheel body 76 and of the type elements or logotype T mounted on the periphery thereof while the friction disc 78 slips relative to the adjacent end surface of the die wheel body. On the other hand, when the pin 168 is moved out of the path of movement of pin 166, the die wheel body 76 is then free to be rotated with shaft 66 by the action of the clutch disc 78.

V The stop pin 166 is preferably located with respect to the circumference of the die wheel body 76 so that, when pin 166 engages pin 168, the raised marking surfaces of the type elements or logotype T carried at the periphery of the die wheel assembly face away from both the metering roll 122 and the web W passing over the impression roll 22, as shown in FIG. 2, thereby to permit continued rotation of the metering roll and continued feeding of the web W without interference from the halted die wheel assembly. It will be apparent that, following each movement of the abutment pin 168 to its inoperative or released position out of the path of movement of the stop pin 166, the die wheel body 76 Will be free to complete one full revolution.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the abutment pin 168 extends from the lower end of a lever 170 which is pivotally mounted, intermediate its ends, on a pivot pin 172 carried by a block 174 which is secured, as by screws 176 and 178, to the side wall 28. A tension spring 180 is connected, at its opposite ends, to an anchor 182 provided on lever 170 above the pivot pin 172 and to an extension 184 of the screw 178 in order to urge the lever 170 in the clockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, to a position where the upper end of lever 17% rests against a pin 186 (FIG. 5) projecting from block 174 and where pin 168 is interposed in the path of movement of the stop pin 166. Further, a solenoid 188 is mounted on the side wall 28, as by screws 190 and has a movable armature 192 which is pivotally connected, as by a pin 194, to one end of a link 196. The opposite end of link 196 is in the form of a hook 198 (FIG. 2) which extends around a pin extending between the legs of an upper bifurcated end of the lever 170.

The solenoid 188 is arranged so that, upon the energization thereof, the armature 192 is retracted, thereby to pull the link 196 for rocking lever 170* in the counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2, so that the abutment pin 168 is then removed from the circular path of movement of the stop pin 166 and the die wheel body 76 is free to complete a full revolution.

In order to coordinate the operation of marking appa- C} (.3 ratus 10 with the operation of the rotary cut-off 16 of the associated wrapping machine, the electrical circuit for energizing the solenoid 188, as shown in FIG. 6, has a normally open switch 202 interposed therein, and such switch is actuated by a cam 204 (FIG. 1) secured on the shaft of the rotary cut-off 16 so that, during each revolution of the latter, and consequently during each cut-ofi of a section or length of the web W, the solenoid 188 will be energized to release the abutment pin 168 from the stop pin 166 and thereby permit a full revolution of the die wheel assembly 64 for applying a suitable inked impression to the web W. At the end of such full revolution of the die wheel assembly 64, the type elements or logotype T which occupy only a segment of the periphery of thedie wheel assembly will be returnedto their normal rest position out of contact with both the web W and the metering roll 122. It is apparent that, by controlling the operation of the marking apparatus 10 from shaft of the rotary cut-off l6,ythe location ofeach inked impression alongthe web W will be-positively registered with respect to "the lengths or sections cut from the web W by the Although an illustrative embodiment of the invention has been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to that precise embodiment, and that various changes and modifications may be efiected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, except as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a marking apparatus, the combination of an ink reservoir, an inking roll rotatably dipping into said reservoir to pick up ink from the latter, said inking roll having a compressible cylindrical body and rigid circular flanges abutting against the opposite ends thereof, said body and flanges having substantially the same diameters, a metering roll having a relatively rigid surface with an axial length substantially equal to the axial length of said body of the inking roll, means rotatably mounting said metering roll with the surface of the latter bearing against, and in rolling contact with, said body of the inking roll to radially compress said body inwardly beyond the peripheries of said flanges at the ends of the line of rolling contact of said body with said metering roll so that ink is transferred from the inking roll to the metering roll and the inner radial surfaces of said flanges act to wipe excess ink from the ends of the metering roll, the excess ink being removed from the inner radial surfaces of the flanges by the return of said body to its normal cylindrical shape, and a rotatable die wheel carrying marking elements on the periphery thereof and disposed to bring said marking elements into rolling contact with said surface of the metering roll upon rotation of the die wheel for applying ink to said marking elements.

2. In a marking apparatus, the combination of a housing having spaced apart side walls, an ink reservoir, an inking roll including a shaft rotatably mounted in said side walls, a cylindrical rubber body on said shaft dipping into said reservoir and rigid circular flanges abutting against the opposite ends of said body, said body and flanges having substantially the same diameters, a metering roll having a relatively rigid surface, a shaft carrying said metering roll, two arms pivotally mounted on said side walls, bearings carried by said arms and rotatably supporting the opposite ends of said metering roll shaft so that angular displacement of said arms varies the contact pressure of said metering roll against said rubber body of the inking roll in order to radially indent said rubber body, said metering roll having a length equal to the axial distance between said flanges of the inking roll so that, when said metering roll indents said rubber body, said flanges act as wipers for the end surfaces of said metering roll and the ink wiped from said end surfaces by the flanges is driven to the periphery of said flanges by the return of said body to its cylindrical shape, and a rotatable die wheel carrying marking elements on the periphery thereof and disposed to bring said marking elements into rolling contact with said surface of the metering roll upon rotation of the die wheel.

3. In a marking apparatus having a die wheel carrying marking elements on the periphery thereof; the combination of a housing having spaced apart side walls in which the die wheel is rotatably mounted, and an inking system for applying ink to the marking elements including a metering roll rotatably mounted in said housing for rolling contact with the marking elements upon rotation of the die Wheel, an inking roll rotatably mounted in said side walls and in rolling contact with said metering roll, an upwardly opening ink reservoir having lateral extensions formed with undercut edges along one side thereof, said side walls having cut-outs in the lower edges thereof loosely receiving said lateral extensions of the reservoir with the ends of said cut-outs at one side having a configuration corresponding to said undercut edges of the extensions, and screw means carried by said housing to bear against said reservoir and urge the latter in the direction toward said one side of said cutouts for forcing the undercut edges of said lateral extensions against said corresponding ends of the cut-outs so that said reservoir is thereby releasably secured in said housing with said inking roll reaching downwardly into said reservo1r.

4. In a marking apparatus having a die wheel carrying marking element on the periphery thereof; the combination of a housing having a top and sides in which the die wheel is rotatably mounted, and an inking system for applying ink to the marking elements including a metering roll rotatably mounted in said housing for rolling contact with the marking elements upon rotation of the die wheel, an inking roll rotatably mounted in said housing and in rolling contact with said metering roll, an upwardly opening reservoir in said housing having said inking roll dipping therein, and means for supplying ink to said reservoir including a tank removably mounted on said top of the housing, a feed pipe depending from said tank to extend into said reservoir when said tank is mounted on said top, valve means automatically closing said feed pipe when said tank is removed from the housing, and means automatically opening said valve means upon mounting of said tank on the top of said housing.

5. In a marking apparatus having a die wheel carrying marking elements on the periphery thereof; the combination of a housing having a top and sides in which the die wheel is rotatably mounted, and an inking system for applying ink to the marking elements including a metering roll rotatably mounted in said housing for rolling contact with the marking elements upon rotation of the die wheel, an inking roll rotatably mounted in said housing and in rolling contact with said metering roll, an upwardly opening reservoir in said housing having said inking roll dipping therein, and means for supplying ink to said reservoir including a tank removably mounted on said top of the housing, a feed pipe depending vertically from said tank to extend into said reservoir when said 10 tank is mounted on said top, the lower end edge of said feed pipe lying in a plane which is inclined with respect to the horizontal.

6. In a marking apparatus having a die wheel carrying marking elements on the periphery thereof; the combination of a housing having a top and sides in which the die wheel is rotatably mounted, and an inking system for applying ink to the marking elements including a metering roll rotatably mounted in said housing for rolling contact with the marking elements upon rotation of the die wheel, an inking roll rotatably mounted in said housing and in rolling contact with said metering roll, an upwardly opening reservoir in said housing having said inking roll dipping therein, and means for supplying ink to said reservoir including a tank removably mounted on said top of the housing, a feed pipe depending from said tank to extend into said reservoir when said tank is mounted on said top, said feed pipe having an upwardly facing valve seat in the lower portion thereof, a ball valve resiliently urged downwardly on said seat to close said feed pipe when said tank is removed from the housing, and a pin projecting upwardly from said reservoir and entering said feed pipe to upwardly unseat said ball valve when said tank is mounted on said housing.

7. In a marking apparatus, the combination of an ink reservoir, an inking roller rotatably dipping into said reservoir to pick up ink from the latter, a scraper mounted in said reservoir and engaging the periphery of the inking roller along its entire length, said inking roll having a compressible cylindrical body interposed axially between closely adjacent metal discs of substantially the same diameter as said body, a metering roll having a relatively rigid surface with an axial length substantially equal to the axial length of said body of the inking roll, means rotatably mounting said metering roll with the surface thereof bearing against said inking roll in rolling contact therewith to slightly compress said body radially inwardly beyond the peripheries of said discs so that ink is transferred from the inking roll to the metering roll, said discs wiping excess ink from the ends of said metering roll and having the wiped-off ink displaced radially outward to the peripheries of said discs "by the return of the compressible body to its cylindrical shape so that said scraper can then remove such ink from the inking roller, a rotatable die wheel carrying marking elements on the periphery theerof, and means for rotating said die wheel to bring said marking elements into rolling contact with said surface of the metering roll for applying ink to said marking elements.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,444,053 Beebe Feb. 6, 1923 1,470,231 Bowes Oct. 9, 1923 2,096,385 Slater Oct. 19, 1937 2,204,972 Rouan et al June 18, 1940 2,275,514 Dudley Mar. 10, 1942 2,475,804 Rouan et al. July 12, 1949 2,641,999 Jackson June 16, 1953 

